RI has slim chance against Italy in Fed Cup: Sarwono

RI has slim chance against Italy in Fed Cup: Sarwono

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association chairman
Sarwono Kusumaatmadja said the country has a slim chance in the
Federation Cup match against Italy next month.

"With Yayuk Basuki's absence, our young players have a slim
chance to beat the Italians because the visitors' rankings are
higher," Sarwono told Antara in Surabaya.

Yayuk declined to play at the July 12 and July 13 match after
the association decided to use clay courts. The world ranked 31
prefers to play on the rebound ace surface.

Sarwono said Yayuk's reason does not make any sense because
all of Indonesia's best players started their career in the
International Tennis Federation tournaments on clay.

The association has also received a letter from former non-
playing captain and Yayuk's coach, Suharyadi, that he did not
agree with the court selection.

Sarwono said: "We have decided to use the clay court for the
Fed Cup match and the federation has also agreed. It's not a big
deal whether she wants to play or not."

"If Yayuk doesn't play, we only have a slim chance to beat
Italy," he said.

Indonesia will place its hope in its young players, who were
selected two weeks ago. They are Wukirasih Sawondari, Wynne
Prakusya, Eny Sulistyowati, Liza Andriyani, Agustine Limanto,
Irawati M. Iskandar, Mimma Chernovita and Mudarwati.

Sarwono said the association would welcome Yayuk if she
decided to play at the match.

He said the association's main goal is the 19th SEA Games,
which will be held here from Oct. 11 to Oct. 19. (yan)